Investigation hearing set for Air Force pilot
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. (USTCNS) --- An Article 32 hearing to investigate charges against a 61st Airlift Squadron pilot will begin at 8:30 a.m. here Monday.
The charges against Capt. Darron A. Haughn, stem from his role as aircraft commander in a Dec. 10, 1999, accident at Ahmed Al Jaber Air base, Kuwait. Three airmen were killed and seven were injured when the C-130E he piloted landed short of the Al Jaber runway.
Haughn is charged with violating Article 92, dereliction of duty, and Article 134, negligent homicide, of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The hearing, conducted under Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, will inquire into the truth of the matters set forth in the charges, consider the form of the charges to ensure that they are consistent with and conform to the evidence presented, and make recommendations as to the disposition of the case in the interest of justice, good order, and discipline.
Brig. Gen. Paul Fletcher, 314th Airlift Wing commander and special courts-martial convening authority, appointed Lt. Col. Gregory Pavlik, U.S. Air Force Trial Judiciary Central Circuit, as the investigating officer.
Base officials said the hearing, which is open to the public, could take as long two weeks.
"The Article 32 hearing is similar to the civilian preliminary hearing and grand-jury process," said Air Mobility Command spokesperson, Capt. Jeff Glenn. "Unlike civilian grand jury proceedings, the Article 32 hearing affords the accused an opportunity to see the evidence against him and present any information he deems important for consideration."
"The accused has the right to be present throughout the hearing, to be represented by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses against him and to present witnesses of his own," said Glenn.
At the conclusion of the judicial investigation, Fletcher will receive a recommended course of action from Pavlik.
Fletcher will then decide whether or not the charges against Haughn will be dismissed, addressed through action short of court-martial, sent to a special court-martial or forwarded to Maj. Gen. George N. Williams, 21st Air Force commander, for general court-martial consideration.
Williams is the general court-martial convening authority for the case.
A special court-martial is an intermediate-level court, while a general court-martial is reserved for the most serious of offenses.
Glenn stressed the charges are only accusations at this time.
"Under the UCMJ, Haughn is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," said Glenn. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
The charges against Capt. Darron A. Haughn, stem from his role as aircraft commander in a Dec. 10, 1999, accident at Ahmed Al Jaber Air base, Kuwait. Three airmen were killed and seven were injured when the C-130E he piloted landed short of the Al Jaber runway.
Haughn is charged with violating Article 92, dereliction of duty, and Article 134, negligent homicide, of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The hearing, conducted under Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, will inquire into the truth of the matters set forth in the charges, consider the form of the charges to ensure that they are consistent with and conform to the evidence presented, and make recommendations as to the disposition of the case in the interest of justice, good order, and discipline.
Brig. Gen. Paul Fletcher, 314th Airlift Wing commander and special courts-martial convening authority, appointed Lt. Col. Gregory Pavlik, U.S. Air Force Trial Judiciary Central Circuit, as the investigating officer.
Base officials said the hearing, which is open to the public, could take as long two weeks.
"The Article 32 hearing is similar to the civilian preliminary hearing and grand-jury process," said Air Mobility Command spokesperson, Capt. Jeff Glenn. "Unlike civilian grand jury proceedings, the Article 32 hearing affords the accused an opportunity to see the evidence against him and present any information he deems important for consideration."
"The accused has the right to be present throughout the hearing, to be represented by counsel, to cross-examine witnesses against him and to present witnesses of his own," said Glenn.
At the conclusion of the judicial investigation, Fletcher will receive a recommended course of action from Pavlik.
Fletcher will then decide whether or not the charges against Haughn will be dismissed, addressed through action short of court-martial, sent to a special court-martial or forwarded to Maj. Gen. George N. Williams, 21st Air Force commander, for general court-martial consideration.
Williams is the general court-martial convening authority for the case.
A special court-martial is an intermediate-level court, while a general court-martial is reserved for the most serious of offenses.
Glenn stressed the charges are only accusations at this time.
"Under the UCMJ, Haughn is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," said Glenn. (FROM AIR MOBILITY COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
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